The mayor has publicly criticized the federal claims, stating that such accusations are rooted in dishonesty and misrepresentation. He described the federal narrative as misleading and part of a long-standing pattern of misinformation. In response to the incident, Baraka returned to the detention center earlier this week, ahead of a scheduled public appearance, where he emphasized his commitment to oversight and transparency for the citizens of Newark.
Baraka expressed that, as the elected leader of the city, he has a fiduciary duty to inspect facilities operating within Newark’s jurisdiction to ensure legal compliance and humane conditions. He asserted that his efforts to enter the facility were part of an ongoing initiative to hold private detention operators accountable. Despite repeated efforts to gain entry, he claimed that the facility operators denied access, prompting city officials to post legal notices on the building—a process they have reportedly been repeating for several weeks.
Delaney Hall is operated by GEO Group, a private company that manages detention and correctional facilities across the country. Ahead of the center’s reopening in February, GEO Group issued a statement highlighting the importance of the facility in supporting the federal government’s detention infrastructure. According to the company, the Newark-based center would help fulfill operational needs in the Northeast, including detention bedspace and related services.
However, Mayor Baraka and local officials have raised concerns about the legal status of the facility’s occupancy permit. The current certificate of occupancy, he argues, is outdated and does not meet the requirements of the city. Baraka contends that GEO Group has failed to follow local legal procedures by refusing to reapply for the necessary certification through Newark’s proper channels.
Federal authorities, including ICE, maintain that Delaney Hall plays a key role in the enforcement of national immigration policy. They claim the facility’s location, situated close to Newark Liberty International Airport, supports the streamlined processing and detention of individuals subject to immigration enforcement.
Nonetheless, criticism continues to grow among civil liberties organizations and immigrant rights advocates, who argue that private companies such as GEO Group are expanding detention capacities at the expense of immigrant communities. Amol Sinha, executive director of a major civil liberties group in New Jersey, noted that there have been discussions around county jails potentially being sold to private operators like GEO Group. He expressed concern over the increasing privatization of detention centers and its implications for human rights.
Mayor Baraka has indicated that he intends to present legal arguments related to the property and occupancy issues during his federal court appearance. The outcome of this case may not only impact the future operation of Delaney Hall but could also set a precedent for how local governments interact with federally operated or contracted detention centers, particularly those managed by private companies.
As Newark remains at the center of a broader national conversation about immigration enforcement, accountability, and the role of private detention, all eyes will be on Thursday’s court proceedings. The mayor’s legal team is expected to challenge both the legitimacy of the arrest and the ongoing operation of the facility, further intensifying the debate over jurisdiction, transparency, and civil oversight in immigration policy.
